The Cardiac Sonographer is responsible for performing various cardiac imaging procedures, including adult, pediatric, and stress echocardiograms. They must ensure patient safety, provide preliminary findings to physicians, and maintain departmental equipment and standards.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a high school diploma and a professional certification such as ARDMS, RCS, or RDCS, along with BLS certification. A minimum of one year of experience in echocardiography is required.
high schoolprofessional certificateMultitaskingCustomer ServicePatient CareInfection ControlCritical ThinkingPatient PositioningMedical DocumentationPACSEchocardiographyCardiac ImagingUltrasound Enhancing AgentsClinical History Gathering
Job description
How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives. Work Shift Day (United States of America) Job Summary: The Cardiac Sonographer functions under the direction of the Manager or Lead/Chief Sonographer and is responsible for performing all cardiac imaging; which includes, if performed at your designated facility, adult, pediatric, transesophageal (including structural heart) and stress echocardiograms. Performs measurements and calculations according to laboratory protocol, provides an oral summary of preliminary findings to the interpreting Physician, if requested, is responsible for the safety and well-being of all patients in the Echo department, must possess the ability to communicate effectively with the patient(s) and health care team. The Cardiac Sonographer may also be asked to inject/administer Ultrasound Enhancing Agents (UEA) as well as saline bubble studies. Performs other work-related duties as assigned. Must be available to take call, work weekends and Holidays on a rotating basis. Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions: Patient Care
Verifies proper clinician order for procedure.
Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
Follows established procedures for the administration of UEAs, so that no patient condition deteriorates, and no patient suffers undue pain, due to error or poor technique.
Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification.
Reviews ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
Assists other team members in all modalities when needed.
Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary so that no patient condition deteriorates.
Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure per hospital policy and procedure.
Ensures patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated. Maintains patients dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
Demonstrates competence in the determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on the age of patients.
Organizes schedule, time and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames.
Follows physicians instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
Uses critical thinking skills.
Dialogs with patient/family
Asks clarifying questions.
Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.
Understands, demonstrates and documents preprocedural verification and Time Out process when appropriate.
Demonstrates and understands pre-and-post procedural care.
Preps the patient for the procedure. Education and Communication
Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting procedure, so as to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET; Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, and Thank you of all patients and family members.
Ensures that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished, prior to the initiation of the procedure.
Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.
Required documentation is concise, legible and includes precise terminology.
Reads email each day scheduled to work and follows through with assignment.
Completes mandatory departmental and Hospital-wide education without prompting. Quality Control
Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use, by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.
Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion, prints CDs as needed.
Follows infection control policies Operations
Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains the department in clean and orderly condition.
Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table.
Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available, without prompting, so that all working time is used for departmental advantage.
Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services.
Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems.
Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.
Ability to operate all work stations associated with the US department.
Ability to push / retrieve images from the Ultrasound console to PACS.
Maintain Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
Takes call when necessary
Any other duties as assigned. Equipment
Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider, so that problem can be corrected in a timely manner.
Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule. Performs other duties as assigned Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct. Required Minimum Education: High School Diploma General or GED General Trade School Diploma/Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography-Preferred Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s): All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated. ARDMS - Registered Medical Sonographer or RCS - Reg Cardiac Sonographer - CCI or RDCS - Reg Diag Cardiac Sonographer or RDCS-AE - Reg Diag Card Sono Adult Echo BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor Additional License(s) and Certification(s): Required Minimum Experience: Minimum 1 year experience in echocardiography Preferred or Graduate of a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography program Preferred or Graduate of an accredited Cardiovascular Technology program Preferred Required Minimum Skills: Must exhibit excellent communication skills because this position requires frequent verbal and written communications with: physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff and nursing staff. High The employee obtains, presents and discusses clinical information regarding job responsibilities on a routine basis. High Candidate must be able to explain or give directions to maintain goodwill and obtain cooperation with all contacts. High Must possess the ability to function independently and under pressure while still actively participating in a team environment. High Position requires the employee to exhibit excellent customer service skills at all times. High Must be able to perform effectively in a stressful and fast paced work environment. High Must have the ability to prioritize appropriately. High Must be detail oriented and have the capacity to effectively multitask throughout the work shift. High Must have excellent communication skills and the capacity to interact professionally with a variety of customers, including but not limited to patients, families, co-workers, volunteers, and physicians throughout the work shift. High Must possess the ability to function independently, yet productively as a cooperative team member with various work teams associated with the position. Must be compliant, with a willingness to follow all Hospital policies as well as the established practices, protocols and procedures of the position, department and applicable professional standards. High Must be flexible with work hours to meet department needs. High Must be dependable, accountable and cooperative. Assists with providing safe, age appropriate care to the patient by performing all exams provided by the department per department procedures. High Has the knowledge and ability to obtain a quality diagnostic study properly and safely. High Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the utilization of equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases. High Able to independently perform job functions. High Sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure. High Competent in all aspects of Cardiac Ultrasound, patient positioning, exposure factors. High Must understand anatomy and pathology and how they affect the quality of a procedure High Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more. Nationally ranked and locally recognized for our high-quality care and inclusive culture, Wellstar is one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems. Every day, 24,000+ of us work together to provide personalized care for patients at every age and stage of life – and our team members are the foundation of that care. Mission, Vision & Values At a time when the healthcare industry is changing rapidly, Wellstar remains committed to exceeding patients’ and team members’ expectations, while transforming healthcare delivery. OUR MISSION: To enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. OUR VISION: Deliver world-class healthcare to every person, every time. OUR VALUES: We serve with compassion We pursue excellence We honor every voice Culture of Excellence Wellstar consistently receives attention and accolades from national organizations that set the standards for world-class care. Our system-wide practice of safety principles, assessing and addressing errors and seeking feedback from our patients and customers continually earns recognition for advances in safety and quality. Featured on the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and Seramount 100 Best Companies list, we not only provide top-notch care for our patients, but also foster the culture of Wellstar as a Great Place to Work.
